Lucy Alvarez
I found that each of the ECE/CD teachers are one of a kind and that they are the most loving and caring group of teachers that a student fresh out of high school could have. Being in the ECE program has helped me learn a lot about myself and the children that are around me. I have enjoyed going to every class and thas has inspired me to do my best to never miss classes: it has helped me to become a better student.

The ECE/CD Department has helped me in reaching my educational goals by guiding me and giving me hands on experience. For example, being able to do my hours for ECE 366, the student practicum, here at Skyline Child Care Center was the best because I did not have to go far from campus or my home. Also the classes have given me the education and experience that I need to follow my dreams. I want to be able to have a good job by the end of the academic year, and I also be well prepared for this job. Recently I applied for a position at 2nd Generation working for the Genetech Childcare center and I got the job as a sub. This was really exciting; being able to see my dream come true was the most important thing in my life. If it was not for those teachers that took their time in helping me and pushing me for the better then I would not have been able to see one of my goals come true. Also, because of the ECE/CD department and the teachers and am planning to go further than my AS degree; I plan to get my Ph.D. and open my own childcare center for low income families. This department has helped me in every way possible and I thank my teachers and the department for helping me and making my dreams possible to reach.

Bonnie Yeung
I have found the support of the teaching faculty in the ECE department at Skyline College to be important. The teachers who instruct early childhood education like Kate Williams Browne, really inspire students like myself to achieve their educational goals and to pursue careers working with children. I found all of the faculty to being very supportive, knowledgable, and dedicated to their work. The ECE classes I have taken have taught me to continue to improve my skills as a teacher and all of my experiences in the ECE department at Skyline College have been incredibly positive. Anyone who is interested in working with children or who wants to learn more about children should take ECE classes at Skyline College. It has been such a rewarding experience for me.

The Skyline ECE department helped me to achieve my educational goals and prepared me to advance in my career. I first obtained my bachelor's degree in anthropology at San Francisco State University and now I am taking ECE classes at Skyline College because I am working towards a Master Teacher Permit. I will eventually be able to become the lead teacher in a preschool site or a school age after school program. By the end of my summer class, I will be able to apply for my Master Teacher Permit. The ECE department has been helpful in guiding me on which classes to take and where to go in the application process as my classes are almost finished.

Adam Duran
I was a Liberal Arts major when took my first ECE class to fulfill an Ethnic and Cultural Diversity requirement. After that course I decied that I wanted to be an advocate for education, children, and families and so I switched my major to Early Childhood Education. After taking some more classes I mentioned to two of my instructors what I wanted to do. They suggested that I teach first to gain experience; they were right. I found that the faculty and students in the ECE/CD Department at Skyline were dedicated, knowledgable, experienced, and passionate about the early childhood teaching experience. Every class in which I was involved inspired me to become a better teacher and parent.

My experience and background in the ECE field lead me to getting involved in my son's school's PTA where I served as the unit's president for the last three years and created a writing scholarship for our 6th grade students to use toward their future education. This then lead me to an elected position on the Jefferson Elementary School District in Daly City and Colma as a member of the Board of Trustees where I still serve today. This position allows me the opportunity to truly advocate at both the local and state level for the benifit of our children and their educational future.

Edith Arias
After 18 years of marriage and three children I thought it was too late for me to go back to school. However, the program was easy to follow and achievable.  My participation in the program boosted my self-confidence and pushed me into working towards my A.S. in ECE, which  I plan to complete in the Spring of 2010. I learned a lot in all of my classes at Skyline! I learned that my teacher was my first resource and guide towards any information I needed.  I enjoyed the program and look forward to completing an A.S. degree.

One key benefit of participating in the Skyline College ECE Program is completion of Practicum - the experience of being an early childhood student teacher.  During that class I gained exposure to the real world of working with children and being responsible to the children and the head teacher.  I had guidance through my classroom teacher as well as the hands on practice.  I now feel more confident implimenting child development theories and practices while working with children and their families.